lds-slc 34688 951207 LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City
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Guide To LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
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A JewishGen InfoFile
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By Conor P. Mac Hale, Dublin Ireland
INTRODUCTION
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The Family History Library was founded by the Genealogical Society of
Utah in 1894 and it now houses the largest collection of genealogical
material in the world. The society is dedicated to acquiring and
preserving copies of the records of mankind. The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has financed the society's methodical work.
The Church teaches that close ties to ancestors are a part of family
happiness. In an LDS temple, a family begins with a marriage - a sacred
ordinance that unites husband and wife. Further ordinances tie children
to parents, parents to grandparents, grandparents to great-grandparents,
and so on, linking the generations to each other. Members of the church
believe that deceased ancestors may be baptised and become postumous
members of the church.
So that families may continue to discover their ancestors, specialist
teams are sent around the world to locate and copy existing records.
Since 1938, they have been using microfilm as the principal medium. The
films preserve the land grant, deed, parish, will, marriage, cemetery
and other public records that help to document the lives of many people.
Where they are permitted to photograph the records, a copy of the film
is given to the original record holder. Today there are 200 camera
operators working in 45 countries around the world. Master copies of the
films are stored under carefully controlled conditions in the Granite
Mountain Records Vault in the Wasatch mountains southeast of Salt Lake
City. This repository is not open to the public. It contains a store of
about 2 million rolls of microfilm (equivalent to more than 6 million
300-page books) that are safe from flood, fire, earthquake, and man-made
disaster. Only a fraction of the available space has so far been filled,
and with new technology even more information can be stored in less
space, e.g. by using 16mm microfilm in place of 35mm. The collection is
growing at a rate of more than 4,100 rolls of film a month.
The present library building was constructed in 1983-85, and contains
microfilm, microfiche and paper copies of records in open access
shelving and cabinets. There are about 2 million rolls of film, 0.4
million microfiches, and more than 250,000 books available. There are
an estimated two billion records on deceased persons.
You can take up to five films or five books to use at a time. There are
more than 625 film readers available in the building, the largest
portion of these are in the U.S./Canadian section (which contains nearly
0.6 million films). Most microfilms are available for immediate use.
However, some lesser-used records are in stores and you may have to wait
an hour or two for these. For countries other than the U.S., Canada,
the British Isles, Germany, Scandanavia, Switzerland, Poland and the
Netherlands you may have to write and request the films at least two
weeks in advance. A few records are protected from public access by
contractual arrangements.
LOCATION
--------
The Library is located in what is known as the Temple Square district,
on the north side of the downtown area of Salt Lake City. Temple Square
is located to the south of the State Capitol. The square is a prime
tourist attraction with two visitor centres, the Mormon Temple and the
domed Tabernacle. Free guided tours are conducted regularly throughout
the day, and free organ recitals are given, while the Mormon Tabernacle
choir rehearse in public on Thursdays while their weekly Sunday
broadcast is also open to the public. To the east of Temple Square are
the Beehive House, built in 1854, and the Lion House which was built in
1856. These formed the official residence of Brigham Young, President
of the Church and first Governor of Utah, whose grave is situated a
short distance away. The Family History Library is on the west side of
Temple Square in a block which also contains the art and history museum
of the Church, and Osmyn Deuel's cabin preserved since 1847. It is on
the south end of the block, a large white building, 3 stories high (with
two basements, floors B1 and B2).
If you are driving in on Interstate 15, exits are few and far between,
so the best strategy is perhaps to exit at the North 6th exit, and then
go east towards the Capitol dome (up on the hill). Parking is tight.
Also Salt Lake City doesn't seem to believe in protected left turn
signals for traffic, so you take your chances. There is also more
pedestrian traffic in downtown Salt Lake than I've seen in any other
city in the Mountain West. In fact, there are sometimes pedestrian stop
lights in the middle of the blocks so people don't have to walk to the
next corner in order to cross.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTRES
----------------------
Since 1964, a system of family history centres has been set up in
different sites in more than 55 countries around the world. They give
people access to much of the library's resources off-site. These centres
and the Family History Library are all open to the public free of
charge, patrons are asked to optionally share their family information
in return so it can be preserved for future generations. Information can
be shared by means of contributions to the Ancestral File (using the PAF
computer software referred to below), or you can donate or loan items
such as family histories (which can be microfilmed), or you can offer to
help by indexing names found in original documents. The library records
and resources may be consulted without charge, except the cost of
photocopying or computer printouts and a small rental fee to cover the
cost of shipping copies of films on request from the library to the
centres.
The centres are staffed by volunteers and their opening hours and costs
can vary from one place to the next. An average of 4,000 people per day
use the facilities of these centres. However, not all of the material
in the Family History Library can be accessed through these centres.
Some items can only be consulted in the library in Salt Lake City (e.g.
Lloyd's Register of Shipping).
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
----------------------
The Library itself looks every bit of the millions it must have cost and
it is one of the nicest in the U.S. if not the world. As you enter the
front door, you should turn towards the left and inquire about the short
orientation presentation which will serve to introduce you to the
facilities in the Library. This tells you a little of the purpose of
the facility, how the place works and where you can generally find help.
You will need lots of nickles, dimes and quarters (5, 10 and 25 cent
coins). The copy machines are coin-operated. Change-making machines
are available, and the library assistants are very helpful.
The library hours are 7.30 AM to 6 PM on Monday, and 7.30 AM to 10 PM on
Tuesday to Saturday inclusive. Apart from Sundays, and early closing on
Mondays, the library is only closed on 7 days throughout the year. July
24th is a state holiday when EVERYTHING shuts down to celebrate Pioneer
Days or the days of '47 when the Mormons came. One correspondent was
there just before and saw some of the week long celebrations. An all
horse parade (about 1000 of them!) organized right in front of the
library. There was also a rodeo in town at the Salt Palace (indoor
arena place).
The International Genealogical Index (IGI) was compiled in 1980, and
transferred to CD-ROM compact disk in 1986. It was issued on microfiche
in 1988. The current edition is dated 1993. It contains the names and
some information on about 200 million deceased persons. The Library
Catalogue was put on CD-ROM in 1987, and the current edition is dated
November 1993, it too is available on microfiche. Both the IGI and
Family History Library Catalogue microfiches are available for sale,
together with the Personal Ancestral File (PAF) software which can be
used for compiling family genealogies. This software can also be used
to obtain information from, and submit information to, the Ancestral
File maintained by the library.
There are more than 60 computers available, some of which act as
terminals connected to a mainframe, others are stand alone units with
the indexes on CD-ROM. They work very well indeed. The FamilySearch
software (see below) allows them online and CD-ROM access to the IGI,
the Family History Library Catalogue or FHLC (including locality,
surname, author/title files), a collection of genealogies (submissions
of pedigree charts) called the Ancestral File, the U.S. Social Security
Death Index, the Military Index, and the TempleReady computer program
which can be used to submit names for temple ordinances.
The Church has closed the former Hotel Utah and converted it into the
Joseph Smith Memorial building. It is situated one block away from the
Library, just to the east of Temple Square. It has been designated an
historic site, and contains up to 200 computers in the FamilySearch
Centre with off-site access to the Library indexes. This is the place
for the beginner/novice to come first, in order to get used to the
computer system. Some people may even find all the information they
require on these!
USING THE FACILITY
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There are five floors in the Family History Library, with four of them
open to the public - each dedicated to a group of countries. Floor 3 is
restricted to members of staff and contains the staff area and
cataloguing Department. The British Isles are on Floor B2, Continental
Europe and Scandanavia are on Floor B1 with the Latin American and
International section, and the North American section (US/Canada, etc.)
is on the Main Floor (books) and on Floor 2 (films). Stairs and express
lifts provide access to all floors.
The International Genealogical Index (IGI) microfiche is available on
each floor. The computers on each floor give access to the FamilySearch
software where you can put in a certain surname, county, state or
whatever and generate all the references available for that particular
subject. You can also specify very particular search criteria by using
what is called a 'filter' option e.g. Patrick Murphy, born 1830 in Co.
Cork - if there is matching information the computer will display it for
you. The software uses the Soundex matching system which enables it to
display similarly sounding names to the one you are looking for. This is
an important consideration where there are a lot of variant spellings of
a particular name. The computer system is quite straightforward and
easy to use but there is also personal guidance available for anyone who
needs it.
There are printed guidance leaflets available that cover almost every
aspect of the system used in the library, as well as instructional
booklets or research outlines on conducting genealogical research in
particular areas. Some printed materials are free, and there is a small
charge for others.
Patrons are asked to sign a log (first name is often sufficient) for the
computer they wish to use, and to limit themselves to about 20 minutes
on the stand-up machines or 1 hour on the sit-down machines at busy
periods in the Library. The stand-up computers are meant just to check
up quickly on something. Each computer also has its own printer
attached so that you can have the information you requested printed out
from the database - you pay 5 cents per sheet to the Library Attendant.
You can get output from a laser printer at a cost of 10 cents per sheet.
Blank sheets are free. You can also bring your own computer disks with
you, and use these to take away copies of the information that is on
file. Computers are equipped with two kinds of disk drive so that they
can be used to make file copies on any standard type of floppy disk.
Formatted floppy disks are also available for purchase in the Library.
The 3.5 inch disks cost 1 dollar, and the 5.25 inch cost 50 cents.
There is always at least one volunteer assistant or staff member at the
main desk on each floor and an expert consultant is available too. They
are very helpful. The copy machines are good and cheap. Prices are 5
cents a page for photocopies and 20 cents per page for printout from
microfiche or microfilm. There are change machines that take a one or
five dollar bill or if you have larger the Library Attendant can make
change for you. The photocopiers can be worked very hard at times, and
there may be queues of people waiting to use them - in which case
patrons are asked not to photocopy more than 5 pages at a time. The
quality of some copies from microfilm may not be very good, though
legible.
As well as staff members and volunteers (who mostly work in the separate
family history centres), consultants provide expert advice. The
consultants specialize in the records of a specific area, teach classes
in research techniques, and take phone call queries from volunteers in
family history centres. The library also provides lists of accredited
researchers who can carry out research on commission for clients.
Advice sheets give guidance to patrons on how to approach this.
As well as the free introductory orientation session, classes are held
regularly at various times throughout the day. These classes are
conducted by experienced volunteers and staff members. There is no
charge, but patrons are asked to sign an attendance sheet. The topics
include: Using FamilySearch, Writing Family Histories, Using the IGI,
Personal Ancestral File (PAF) software, Using the Family History Library
Catalog, Using TempleReady software, Bulletin Boards. As well as these,
more specific topics are also covered such as British or English
Canadian Research, U.S. Census / Civil War / Church / Immigration
Records, Research in records of specific U.S. states, Large City
Research, etc. Other classes are conducted on; How to research Sensitive
Issues in your family; Beginning Genealogy; The difference between
Genealogy and Family History, etc. Some topics are dealt with on a
monthly rota basis and it is advisable to obtain the list for the
current month in advance of your visit.
SALT LAKE CITY
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Salt Lake City blocks are about twice as long as the usual U.S. city
block! You'd better bring your hiking shoes, because there will be
quite a lot of walking, especially inside the library! There are about 5
blocks to a mile in this city. In fact, there are sometimes pedestrian
stop lights or zebra crossings in the middle of the blocks so people
don't have to walk to the next corner in order to cross. For meal
facilities within the Family History Library there are vending machines
available and a room on the Main Floor where you can take your snack.
There are also family style restaurants within walking distance. There
is a fast food place (MacDonalds) located nearby, with various other
facilities in shopping malls.
Shopping was also very near. The Crossroads Plaza Mall has about 140
stores, a food court and McDonalds at street level. It is catty-corner
to the library and across from Temple Square. The ZCMI Mall is one more
block away and has more stores to spend money in. There is a tour of
Temple Square offered about every 15 minutes. You can stop in to watch
the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse on Thursday night. Open to the
public for free as is their broadcasts on Sunday morning. Do bring
walking shoes. You'll do most of your walking INSIDE the library!
One corporate travel budget allows 35 dollars per day for meals but you
can do better than that! Three meals a day will cost from 22 dollars
upwards depending on where you eat, e.g. breakfast 3.00, lunch 5.00,
dinner 14.00. It can be very cold there in the winter months; and it
gets very hot in the summer. The visitor information centre provided
information on the scenic areas, the cultural activities in art and
music, tours of the city, and the winter sports activities.
There is plenty of accommodation available in motels and hotels. The
nearer these are situated to the FHL and central downtown area, the more
expensive the rates. Public transport buses are frequent along Main
street, and taxis cost about 1.50 dollars per mile. The Motel 6
situated 7 blocks south of the FHL cost from 32 dollars per night. Due
to be renovated soon, it was the cheapest option in this category,
providing an adequate room but no on-site recreational or dining
facilities. There is a full range of restaurants (from MacDonalds
upwards) situated within easy reach. It took about 20-25 minutes to walk
to the library from there. The Quality Inn motel next door cost from 52
dollars per night, and The Inn at Temple Square (just across the road
from the library) cost from 77 dollars. Most of the motels and hotels
provide a (free) courtesy shuttle transport service to and from the
airport, a taxi trip costs about 12 dollars.
Salt Lake City is a central access point for several winter sports ski
resorts in the surrounding mountain areas. Groups of skiers are a
feature of the early morning city traffic in the winter time. It has
also got a large conference centre, the Salt Palace, which is currently
being completely rebuilt (January, 1994).
Naturally, all the materials in the library are non - checkout. You can
spend at least half a day on your first visit getting oriented. The
holdings are segmented into reference materials, mostly indexes, and the
actual detailed holdings. Most records belong to the period 1550 - 1910
or so, although there are a few earlier and some later materials.
Generally, there are vital records (birth, marriage, death), census and
probate records, deed records, passenger lists, military records, and
court proceedings. There are also some Church Records, Bible Records,
DAR & SAR (Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution) materials. The
library has some local history publications, but does not have such
things as newspaper files. The major indices are divided into a surname
index and a locality index.
The indexes are also on microfiche, with many copies available, so you
just select the one you want, put it in the machine, and off you go.
The index will give you the microfilm roll number which contains the
records you want. You then go retrieve the film or fiche, put it in the
reader and start looking. There are plenty of readers and although there
are signs stating usage time limits in busy periods, I never found it to
be that busy except on Friday (of course, this was in the dead of
winter). The place never gets really empty of users. The general age
there (except for the staff) seemed to be in the 60's or older. There
were also a few very much younger (late teens or early 20's) people, who
may have been volunteers doing work directly for the Church. I saw at
least one young couple with their newborn baby in a carry-cot!
No one ever asked if I was a member of the LDS church (they welcome
anyone furthering research). If you write, or have access to a family
history they do not have in their holdings, you can lend it to them to
be microfilmed. They will give you a free copy of the microfilm as
well. One thing to bear in mind is that if you produce a history, this
is probably the one place where it will be guaranteed to be around for a
couple of hundred years.
A visitor should probably expect to spend at least two whole days in the
library on a first visit. Also, 10 hours of intense research is
completely exhausting. All I wanted to do when I got back to the motel
in the evening was to fall into bed! And boy did my feet hurt, they had
blisters with blisters on them by the end of the week!
A distinct feature is the growth of independent genealogy enterprises
which supply support to those who may wish to use the FHL. Examples are
Everton's and Heritage Quest, both located nearby. These act as
suppliers of materials and other resources (including microfilm,
microfiche and CD-ROM), as well as training and undertaking commissioned
research on behalf of clients. They each run genealogical societies for
the sharing and distribution of relevant information among their
clients. Although they all (including the FHL) have access to
electronic mail services, none of them are offering full consultation
services via these means. However, two recently set up genealogy
bulletin board services allow access to files on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The computerisation carried out by the FHL since 1986 is extremely
efficient and user-friendly. The latest version of the Personal
Ancestral File (PAF) and the FamilySearch software are very impressive.
The PAF has also established a standard (called GEnealogical Data
COMmunication, or GEDCOM) for the exchange of genealogical information
via computer files. At present, the CD-ROM and microfiche versions
provide off-site access to the indexes and catalogue for the separate
Family History Centres.
FAMILYSEARCH SOFTWARE
=====================
FamilySearch is an automated system of family history information. This
system has been developed to simplify the task of family history
research. FamilySearch is a set of:
. Programs designed to work on personal computers and
. Files drawn from the Church's temple and family history files.
The information in each of these files is distributed on compact discs.
These discs, which are similar to audio compact discs, are capable of
storing large amounts of information. They are read by computers with a
special compact disc player and the FamilySearch software.
Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)
-------------------------------------
This file is an automated edition of the catalogue. It is also
available in a microfiche edition. The automated edition simplifies use
of the catalogue. Using FamilySearch, patrons may easily find
information about the library's holdings and microfilm call numbers.
They may also:
- Search for key words in the notes and titles of catalog
records.
- Search for only part of a name (exact spellings are not
required).
- Print any information displayed on the screen.
FamilySearch is designed to allow locality (place), surname and call
number searches as well as searches by author/title and subject.
International Genealogical Index (IGI)
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The automated edition of this index gives information about deceased
persons for whom temple ordinances have been performed. This valuable
research tool lists birth, christening, or marriage dates as well as
temple ordinance information. The file contains nearly 200 million
names. Using FamilySearch, patrons may:
- Look for a name in a single alphabetic list of persons for all
major regions of the world.
- Search the file's Parent Index, which is especially helpful for
locating possible family groups.
- Display, print or copy to diskette any information they find.
Ancestral File
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Ancestral File is a family-linked file containing genealogies
contributed by members of the Church since 1979. Many additional
genealogies have also been included. The file contains the names of more
than 10 million persons. Using FamilySearch, patrons may:
- Search for any information the file may contain about their
ancestry.
- Display, print or copy to diskette any information they find.
- Find the name of the person(s) who contributed the information,
which enables them to coordinate the research efforts.
The current version of the file is dated August 1993.
The U.S. Social Security Death Index
------------------------------------
The people included in the Social Security Death Index are those whose
death was reported to the Social Security office (about 40 million
names). Mainly deaths between roughly 1962 and 1988 are included.
However, the records extend from about 1937 to 1989.
Information includes date of birth (full or month/year), state where
social security number was applied for, date of death (full or
month/year) and state (alone or with town and even zip code). If a zip
code was included, you have the option to search for it so as to get the
corresponding location. You can then get the address where to write for
a death certificate. You need to remember that it was NOT necessarily
the state/province where your relative was born. The first edition was
issued in 1990.
The Military Index
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This index lists individuals in the U.S. military service who died in
Korea or Vietnam (Southeast Asia: including Cambodia, Communist China,
Laos, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Thailand) from 1950 to 1975. It
was introduced in 1991. The information provided includes dates of
birth and death, town and state at time of enlistment, the country where
the individual died, some details of rank and service, etc. The first
edition was issued in 1991.
TempleReady
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This is a computer program that helps a person to prepare the names of
their ancestors for LDS temple ordinances. The ancestors' names are
typed into a computer file, checked to see which ordinances can be
performed for them, and submitted on computer disk to a temple. The
first edition was issued in 1993. Names can also be submitted manually
on Family Group Record sheets.
LDS FAMILY HISTORY CENTRE, SALT LAKE CITY - FLOOR PLANS
MAIN FLOOR (U.S.A. and Canada BOOKS):
_________________________________________________________
| |
| DATA CENTRE Emergency |
| COPY CENTRE EXIT |
| Library |
| Attendants |
|______________ U.S.A. |
| | COMPUTERS and |
| Theatre | CANADA |
|_________ | FAMILY BOOKS |
| | IGI REGISTRY |
| Theatre | |
|_________ | |
| | CATALOGUE |
| ORIENTATION | |
| & Exhibits | BOOKS |
|_________ | |
| | |
| Security INFORMATION |
|_________ \ |
\ GUIDES COMPUTERS |
\ \ |
ENTRANCE \ water Emergency |
| | __ _____ __ ______ EXIT |
| Stairs, | | | | |
| Elevators,| TOILETS | CLASS |SNACK| |
| Telephones| | ROOMS | ROOM| |
|____________|_________|_______|_____|_____|
SECOND FLOOR (U.S.A. and Canada FILMS):
_________________________________________________________
| |
| Special |
| Collections FILMS |
| |
| |
| |
| Emergency |
| EXIT |
| FILM READERS |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Library CATALOGUE |
| Attendants |
| IGI |
| COMPUTERS |
| COPY FILM |
| CENTRE READERS |
|_________ |
\ INFORMATION |
\ |
\ water Emergency |
| ___________ EXIT |
| Stairs, | | | |
| Elevators,| TOILETS | FILMS | |
| Telephones| | | |
|____________|_________|_____________|_____|
BASEMENT 1 (EUROPE, SCANDINAVIA, LATIN AMERICA, INTERNATIONAL):
_________________________________________________________
| |
| CLASSROOMS |
| FILMS |
| |
| CLASSROOMS |
| |
| Emergency |
| EXIT |
| SCANDINAVIAN BOOKS |
| |
| COMPUTERS FILM |
| READERS |
| |
| COPY CATALOGUE IGI |
| CENTRE MICROFICHE |
| |
| MAPS |
| Library EUROPEAN |
| Attendants BOOKS |
|_________ |
\ INFORMATION |
\ COMPUTERS |
\ water Emergency |
| ___________ ASIAN EXIT |
| Stairs, | | CATALOGUE| |
| Elevators,| TOILETS | | |
| Telephones| | BOOKS | |
|____________|_________|_____________|_____|
BASEMENT 2 (BRITISH ISLES):
_________________________________________________________
| |
| CORRESPONDENCE |
| STAFF BOOKS |
| |
| CLASSROOMS |
| |
| Emergency |
| EXIT |
| |
| |
| COMPUTERS FILMS |
| |
| |
| IGI |
| COPY CATALOGUE |
| CENTRE |
| MICROFICHE |
| Library FILM |
| Attendants READERS |
|_________ |
\ INFORMATION |
\ |
\ water Emergency |
| ___________ EXIT |
| Stairs, | | | |
| Elevators,| TOILETS | | |
| Telephones| | | |
|____________|_________|_____________|_____|
NOTE: This file is being supplied as an unofficial guideline only. It
has no connection with any of the staff of the Family History Library,
or any of its associate centres, or with the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. It does not form part of any contract whatsoever.
Any comments or suggestions will be gratefully received by the compiler
at the address below.
January 1994
***************************************************************
* Conor P. Mac Hale * Interested in: *
* O'Dubhda (O'Dowd) Clan * O'DUBHDA, O'DOWDA, O'DOWD, etc. *
* Newsletter * MAC EGAN, EGAN, KEEGAN, etc. *
* 'Tireragh' * MAC HALE, McHALE, etc. *
* 30 Lakelands Drive * O'REILLY, etc. *
* Stillorgan ***********************************
* Co. Dublin Internet email: '75900491@vax1.dcu.ie' *
* Ireland or 'cmchale@dublin.cerf.fred.org' *
* or 'cmchale@gn.apc.org' *
* FrEdMail: 'Philly!Dublin!cmchale' *
* Tel. +353-1-2884250 APC/GreenNet: 'cmchale@gn' *
***************************************************************
With grateful thanks to: Dennis Ahern, John Coates, Jay Hall, Dennis
Harkins, Edward Hayes, Greg Jones, Mary Lou Mariner, Alfred Oxton, Lisa
Reed, Bob Wier, Nicole Wing, and many others who helped along the way.
---------------
[7Dec95cpm]bik
Source: Compiler- Conor P. Mac Hale, Dublin Ireland
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